Since last month’s announcement of a proposal for the BBC to launch a Korean language radio service, the idea has drawn widespread approval. In February NK NEWS reported on the story after UK Members of Parliament tabled an Early Day Motion recommending World Service transmissions be extended to the Korean peninsula. Supporters have cited the potential for disseminating impartial news and information to North Korea. However, a Korean language service could also present a refreshing, alternative news source for South Koreans, while also being an important step in the UK expanding its involvement in the affairs of peninsula.
The UK is uniquely placed to exert influence that is not tarnished in the same way as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both with explicit connections to North Korea’s “enemy number one”, the U.S. government. “The UK is not considered by North Korea as being as imperialistic as America and in fact the UK and North Korea enjoy a formal diplomatic relationship,” said Raphael Rashid, campaign manager for the ‘BBC for Korea’ Facebook group.
Since last month’s announcement of a proposal for the BBC to launch a Korean language radio service, the idea has drawn widespread approval. In February NK NEWS reported on the story after UK Members of Parliament tabled an Early Day Motion recommending World Service transmissions be extended to the Korean peninsula. Supporters have cited the potential for disseminating impartial news and information to North Korea. However, a Korean language service could also present a refreshing, alternative news source for South Koreans, while also being an important step in the UK expanding its involvement in the affairs of peninsula.
The UK is uniquely placed to exert influence that is not tarnished in the same way as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both with explicit connections to North Korea’s “enemy number one”, the U.S. government. “The UK is not considered by North Korea as being as imperialistic as America and in fact the UK and North Korea enjoy a formal diplomatic relationship,” said Raphael Rashid, campaign manager for the ‘BBC for Korea’ Facebook group.
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Dr. Sarah Son is a lecturer (assistant professor) in Korean studies at the University of Sheffield. She completed her Ph.D. on identity and inter-Korean relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London in 2014, before spending five years working in South Korea in the nonprofit sector on North Korean human rights issues.